Spiritual Deepening Week features guest speaker

Spiritual Deepening Week kicks off today and a 30-year veteran of compassionate ministry in the Nazarene Church will be speaking at several sessions over the next few days.

Phil Stout, a pastor for more than 30 years has focused his leadership in the church on ministries of compassion and justice. Stout did his graduate work in Peace studies at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and would move on to receive his Doctorate of Ministry degree at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

“I know Phil to be a faithful preacher of the gospel. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and reconciliation is a sign of the coming Kingdom of God,” said Shawna Gaines, university chaplain and assistant professor of Christian worship.

In addition to being the lead pastor at First Church of the Nazarene in Jackson, Michigan, Stout is an adjunct professor at Spring Arbor University and Olivet Nazarene University where he serves in the ministry department.

Stout is also an author who has written for various publications and authored one book, Beyond Dissapointment…Hope.

Stout says his purpose in life comes from the book of Acts 20:24 that says, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

“Phil has an ability to see peace and reconciliation naturally flowing from the good news of the gospel,” said Gaines. “In the midst of an anxious time, Phil will bring a word of good news to us.”

In addition to speaking in chapel, Stout on Tuesday will lead a Seek Justice lecture in Quick Lecture Hall from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

He says his prayer comes from the book of Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”